South Korea in talks with UNC for more access to DMZ

A sign for the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) stands along the inter-Korean border in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, in this undated file photo. Yonhap

SEOUL, February 6 (AJP) - South Korea is in close consultations with the U.N. Command (UNC) on ways to effectively manage the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the Ministry of Defense said on Friday.

The development comes as South Korea reportedly proposed managing the southern side of the heavily fortified zone, which extends 2 kilometers south of the demarcation line separating the two Koreas.

South Korea is seeking civilian access to more areas on the southern side of the front line, which have been under the UNC's jurisdiction since the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War.

But the UNC apparently opposed the proposal, saying it could make it difficult to maintain peace and stability in the buffer zone.

South Korea currently have to obtain permission from the UNC whenever it needs to bring in heavy equipment for construction work, while some tourism projects remain halted.

The ministry said it has been holding working-level talks with the UNC to manage the areas more efficiently since Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek assumed his post in July last year.

Jun Sung-min ball@ajunews.com